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Aldermaston Walks

3.7 miles (6 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This Berkshire based village has some nice river and canalside trails to try.
This walk from the village takes you up to Aldermaston Wharf on the Kennet and Avon Canal. You then follow the towpath west to visit the neighbouring village of Woolhampton.
The walk starts in the village and then follows the Fisherman's Lane track north east to Padworth Mill where you cross the River Kennet. You head north here, passing the flooded gravel pits before arriving at Aldermaston Wharf. The wharf is a significant spot on the canal with a British Waterways visitor centre to explore. It includes a tea room and is located at the canal east of the lift bridge. Here you can pick up the canal towpath and follow it west to Woolhampton where there's a pretty lock, bridge and train station.

Aldermaston OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Aldermaston Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Aldermaston

Pubs/Cafes

On the route stop off at the Aldermaston Tea Rooms for refreshments. The tea rooms are located in a lovely spot by the canal at the Wharf. You can sit outside in the garden area and enjoy a cream tea with views of the water. The cafe can be found at Wharfside, RG7 4JS.

Dog Walking

The waterside trails make for a pleasant dog walk. The tea room mentioned above is also dog friendly with water bowls available.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head south to the nearby town of Tadley and you could enjoy woodland trails around the expansive Pamber Forest before heading to the ancient Roman Fort at Silchester.
Head east and you can enjoy canal walks, river trails and a visit to the wildlife rich Hosehill Lake Nature Reserve on the Theale Walk.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Berkshire Walks page.

Photos

Aldermaston Village - geograph.org.uk - 599145

Aldermaston Village

Aldermaston Wharf lock - geograph.org.uk - 1822772

Aldermaston Wharf lock

Aldermaston Wharf - geograph.org.uk - 1189190

Aldermaston Wharf. This is the original wharf (off to the right) on the Kennet navigation, now the Kennet and Avon canal, that served the village of Aldermaston, two miles to the south. Thus a small community grew up here in its own right. The lock was originally a turf-sided lock, like all of them on the Kennet navigation between Reading and Newbury. It was rebuilt in 1984 during the restoration of the canal. The flats have been built during the last few years on the site of the former Sterling Cables works. Various canoeists are seen practising for the Devizes to Westminster canoe race, that takes place over the Easter weekend. The swans ignore all the activity and go about their business.

Kennet and Avon Canal west of Aldermaston - geograph.org.uk - 332969

Kennet and Avon Canal west of Aldermaston.  Beyond Aldermaston Wharf the canal soon becomes rural again. The railway, although just behind the trees on the left, hardly intrudes here. The area behind the left bank used to be the Sterling Cables factory.

Padworth Mill - geograph.org.uk - 2391813

Padworth Mill

Cottages by the canal - geograph.org.uk - 2375525

Cottages by the canal

Frouds Lane Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 332978

Frouds Lane Bridge. This used to be a swing bridge across the canal (like many in the area). However, when the canal was restored the lie of the land (a rise to the north over the railway line) allowed a high level road bridge to be built. Constructed 1989.

Woolhampton swing bridge - geograph.org.uk - 333009

Woolhampton swing bridge. Frequently used swing bridge on a busy minor road. The river Kennet is very fast flowing and inexperienced boats are often caught out here. Bridge rebuilt 1990. This location was probably the last physical barrier to through navigation on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The old bridge was removed during July 1990 and boats first allowed through on 17th July 1990, the first for over 40 years.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Aldermaston.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Aldermaston.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)